Hello all, I posted this in the introduction thread but also wanted to post it here to get as many ideas as I could.
I want to ask for suggestions on my new 55g aquarium. I was checking Craigslist the other day and stumbled across someone who had a 55 gallon tank they were looking to get rid of, free to anyone who wanted to disassemble and haul away. I jumped at the chance and got myself the dirtiest tank I've ever seen. I wont go into great detail on how dirty, but believe me.... it was bad. The tank is now in my garage soaking in water, I've gotten most of the calcium buildup scraped off, and most of the smell is about gone. I've been searching for ideas for what type of setup to go with. Originally I was thinking African cichlids, and still may go that route although the more I read about the the more confused I get. I feel like I have a good enough grasp on them to set the tank up and learn by doing, yet I've also ready that 55 isn't really enough space. So, Africans are a maybe, with the idea of getting a larger tank as they grow. I was also considering a pair of Oscars, (again with the plan of upgrading tanks as they grew too large) I've read many great things about them, how they are the "dogs" of fish and have great personalities. I also love ugly things, the uglier the cuter I say. But I don't know how I feel about the idea of having a tank with just two fish in it. I've researched them a small bit and know that there are some possibilities of tank mates, but don't think I'd want to try Oscars, silver dollars, and some type of barb in a 55 gallon tank. But again, upgrading will happen, I'm not a fan of re-homing my babies. Another thought was to go for another community tank with different types of fish then my current setup, but this seems rather repetitive. I'd love to try saltwater but it is just too expensive for me right now, one day though! This is where I currently am.

A little long winded, but if you stuck through it all I appreciate it and am open for any suggestions. Thanks!

I have an african cichlid tank so my vote would be for that. they are great fish and you can have a good amount of them in your tank, they are very aware of whats going on outside of the tank and always greet me when i walk by or go up to the tank. i think they are great fish with great colors it is a great tank to show off to other people.

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125g african cichlids making it work
75g rimless Reef in progress

You would have to be careful housing 2 oscars in a tank. Oscars will try to eat anything that will fit into its mouth and also can be very territorial.

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